If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above.
Want to be a registered member? See the FAQ for instructions.
To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
Be sure to read the Terms of Service before using VFTT.org.

Forgotten Password?

If you have forgotten your password, please click here to send an e-mail requesting your password be reset. Please include your screen name. If your current e-mail address is not the one registered with vftt, you should include the registered one in the body of your password request. You must supply one verifiable piece of information - e-mail address or birthday - in addition to the username - for security reasons.

Hiking and Safety Tips for New Hikers

Views From The Top recommends that all hikers read and familiarize themselves with the hikeSafe web site before venturing into the back country. Remember that in NH, Fish and Game can and will charge you for some or all expense(s) incurred if you need to be rescued.

As Michael noted, dissolving some plastics is a well-known hazard of DEET.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deet
DEET is an effective solvent, and may dissolve some plastics, rayon, spandex, other synthetic fabrics, leather, and painted or varnished surfaces including nailpolish.

From http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/arti...repellent.html
DEET is a "plasticizer." It can have adverse affects on many synthetic fabrics (such as rayon or spandex), auto paint, watch crystals, varnished surfaces, golf-club grips, leather and plastic. It will not damage cotton, wool or nylon.

Watch crystals and plastic glasses lenses (polycarbonate?) and frames are often reported to be damaged.

There is a warning label on our newest BearVault that says "no DEET on or inside!" Though I've always put DEET inside, I've never had a problem, though barrel has never been disturbed. I'm not sure where else it could go...

An ex-surveyor friend quit using repellent after she saw it was eating the survey rod or something - she didn't care about the equipment but her hands!

?

Considering that one normally puts DEET on one's skin, why would one's hands be more at risk unless one is worried about the survey rod getting on one's hands. (Some people have certainly been scared by the logic "if it damages plastic, it probably damages me".)

I carry my DEET (comes in a metal can) inside a HD ziplock bag. Even so - one year some leaked thru the ziplock and drilled some holes in my Precip jacket. Fortunately the holes were near the waist, so it didn't impair it's functionality.

From what I recall, the 100% deet (which I think is actually 98% DEET) says on the spray to only use on clothing or objects, not directly on skin. The skin "safe" ones are generally <30% DEET.

I've gone through 2 bottles of Bens 100 in the last ten years, most of it sprayed, on my skin and I'm still walking. Something's going to "get" me anyway and I would rather it not be Lyme disease. FWIW, it lasts all day long for me when used in that concentration. While doing roadwork in Cartunk, ME in the heart of blackfly season it was the only dosage that would keep the buggers at bay. I use Bens 30 whenever I can, but I'll bust out the high-test for those days when the skeeters just won't quit.

And the 100% WILL eat plastics. I keep my little bottle wrapped in 2 Ziploc bags and try not to put it near anything that could be damaged like sunglasses or electronics.

Originally Posted by DougPaul

Considering that one normally puts DEET on one's skin, why would one's hands be more at risk unless one is worried about the survey rod getting on one's hands.

This is how I know it "eats" plastics - I had the remnants of a black Duracell flashlight on my hands for a day or two. So yes, my guess is she didn't want white hands with red lines across them.

East bound and down, loaded up and truckin', we gonna do what 'They' say can't be done.
We gotta long way to go, and a short time to get there, I'm east bound just watch ole' Bandit run. - Jerry Reed